We carried out an announced inspection of the service on 16 May 2018. Fairview is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. This service supports people who have a learning and/or physical disability.

Fairview accommodates up to six people in one building. During our inspection there were six people living at the home. This is the service’s first inspection under its current registration.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

A registered manager was present during the inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People were supported by staff who understood how to protect them from avoidable harm. The risks to people’s safety were assessed and acted on without restricting people’s freedom. There were enough staff to support people. People’s medicines were managed safely. Staff understood how to reduce the risk of the spread of infection. Accidents and incidents were regularly reviewed, assessed and investigated by the registered manager and the provider’s senior management team.

People’s physical, mental health and social needs were assessed and met in line with current legislation and best practice guidelines. Staff were well trained and had their performance regularly reviewed. People were supported to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. The registered manager had built effective relationships with external health and social care organisations and people’s health was regularly monitored. The home environment was well maintained and adapted to support people with a learning and/or physical disability. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.

Staff were caring, treated people with dignity and respect and listened to what they had to say. Staff took the time to build positive relationships with people. People were supported by staff who understood their needs and supported them with making decision about their care. People’s diverse needs were respected. People were encouraged to lead as independent a life as possible. People were provided with information about how they could access independent advocates. There were no restrictions on people’s friends or relatives visiting them. People’s records were handled appropriately and in line with the Data Protection Act.

Sufficient end of life care planning had not taken place, which could affect people’s rights when they neared the end of their life. Support records were in place and provided staff with the guidance needed to support people. However, some of these records needed archiving to reduce the risk of people receiving inconsistent care and support. Comprehensive processes were in place to ensure when people moved to the home their transition had minimal impact on their well-being. Support records contained detailed, person-centred guidance that enabled staff to respond to people’s individual preferences. People were treated fairly, without discrimination and systems were in place to support people who had communication needs. Records showed complaints had been dealt with appropriately.

The home was led by an enthus